Fc Edmonton Adds Four More

As FC Edmonton continue to prepare for Training Camp in Arizona (March 6-19), four more players have signed contracts and are anxious to get the preseason underway.

Midfielder Mutanda Kwesele, local midfielder/striker Chris Lemire, Dutch midfielder/defender Paul Matthijs and defender Niko Saler are all signed and ready for action in 2011.

Kwesele is a 24-year-old native of Mufulira, Zambia but the young American now calls Seattle, Washington home. Kwesele's soccer career took off when he played for Santa Clara University in 2005 and 2006. The midfielder transferred to Seattle University in 2006 and played there until 2008 before signing for the Portland Timbers of the USL in 2009.

Lemire is a 28-year-old Edmontonian. The Canadian-Chilean has previous pro experience playing with the USL's Calgary Storm, Montreal Impact and Edmonton Aviators. Lemire has international experience with the U17-U23 Canadian National Team and represented his country as a member of the Canadian Men's Beach Soccer Team as they competed for the CONCACAF title in 2006.

Matthijs is one of three Dutch players brought over by FC Edmonton for the 2010 exhibition season. The defensive player earned promotion with FC Groningen to the highest division in Dutch soccer. He was then transferred to AZ Alkmaar in 2000 for $650,000. Matthijs even played European soccer with FC Groningen, twice. His last Dutch club was BV Veendam from 2009-2010.

Saler is a young defender from Lethbridge. The 18-year-old has had success at almost every level he's played at. Saler first achieved success at the U15 level winning the Rocky Mountain Cup with Team Alberta. He followed that up with a third place finish at the U16 BMO National Championships at the club level with Calgary Foothills Crew.

The club will continue to sign players throughout the week as it prepares for training camp.